Platform 21

Evenacre/LaSalle Investment Management

£12.7m

Client:

Completion:

2017

Key Points

Bold reimagining of one of Birmingham’s well known office buildings

122,000sq.ft redevelopment

Cat A refurb

EPC B

Unrivalled transport links

Changing Identity

Platform 21 is the bold reimagining of one of Birmingham’s most well-known high street office spaces. Throughout its life Platform 21 has been known as Woolworths or The Charters, instantly recognised by its external ‘wall climber’ glass lift that faces onto New Street. The current incarnation has grown dated and tired. We are now transforming it into 112,000sq.ft of category A refurbished office space at the heart of a rapidly changing city. We were approached by Evanacre, on behalf of LaSalle Investment Management, to create a design that would reinvigorate the building and allow it to take on a new identity.

The entrance to the building will be repositioned from New Street to Stephenson Street, placing it at the doorstep of the new Midland Metro stop. This new entrance will be re-clad in a contemporary palette of sleek grey terracotta panels. Internally visitors will be met by an inviting double height reception area, complete with a giant digital display wall, mimicking a traditional split-flap railway signboard. Large, open plan floor plates will create dynamic work spaces ranging from 11,500 to 13,000 sq.ft with dramatic views across the city. The famous glass lift will be decommissioned and remodelled into meeting spaces looking out over the bustle of Birmingham’s primary pedestrian street.

Sustainability is Key

Considerations to reduce Platform 21’s environmental impact have been woven into the design from day one. The building’s main façade and glazing will improve its overall thermal performance. Low energy LED light fittings will be utilised throughout and a photovoltaic array will be installed on the roof. These technologies deliver serious improvements in energy consumption. We’re targeting an EPC rating of B. These sustainability measures will result in reduced operating costs, and in turn savings that can be passed directly onto future occupiers.

Transforming City

Birmingham is going through a period of drastic change and Platform 21 sits at the heart of this transformation. It is surrounded by the redevelopments of New Street Station, Grand Central and the 1.8 million sq.ft Paradise site. With unrivalled links to local and regional transport and a prime city centre address, Platform 21 will become a key location to do business in a transformed Birmingham.